Vanlife in New Mexico in October was everything I hoped for—big skies, quiet campgrounds, colorful leaves, and unforgettable memories. I rolled into the state mid-month, chasing great temps and peaceful places to park. Here’s a look at where I stayed, what I discovered, and why Taos ended up stealing a little piece of my heart.
Oct 13–16: Angel Peak Scenic Area (BLM Campground)
I kicked things off near Aztec at Angel Peak—free BLM camping with layered cliffs and dramatic canyon views. I stayed four nights, soaking up golden sunsets and peaceful mornings. Lucky loved her walks around this stunning area.
Cell signal was solid, and the stars were unreal. I couldn’t have found a more perfect free camping spot.
Oct 17–20: Taos Plateau (BLM) — Stuck in the Mud!
What was supposed to be a quick overnight stay turned into an unplanned four-day adventure. I rolled into a spot on the Taos Plateau BLM land finding a lovely spot near a view of the Rio Grande.
I found a great flat spot just off the gravel road. After a night of heavy rain my van sank into the slippery clay, and just like that—I was stuck.
I tried to get out with no success so I decided to wait it out. Another day of rain and then according to my weather app the sun would come out.
The sun eventually dried the earth enough for me to carefully back out, little by little.
It was frustrating and a bit scary at first, but in hindsight, it gave me a rare opportunity to truly slow down. I had enough water and food for a week so decided to just hunker down and relax.
Just another lesson from the road: nature sets the schedule, not you.
Oct 21: Back to the Rio Grande Lookout
Once I was free, I settled at a familiar and reliable rest stop along the Rio Grande. After my muddy detour, the solid ground and river views felt like pure luxury.
I had stayed in this spot many years ago on another vanlife in New Mexico journey. I stayed one night here to recharge before touring Taos.
✨ Taos Highlights: Don’t Miss These Gems
While using Taos as a hub, I spent several days enjoying what makes this town so unique. Here are a few favorites:
• 🎈 Taos Mountain Balloon Rally: A hidden gem! I caught the local balloon festival and it was magical—intimate, friendly, and photogenic. Watching the sunrise lift dozens of balloons over the desert was unforgettable.
• 🥘 Farmhouse Cafe & Bakery: Gluten-free road trippers, rejoice! This funky, relaxed cafe had an overwhelming selection of gluten free baked goods and entrees. The coffee was strong, the food delicious, the service was warm, and the patio was a perfect place to people watch. I came back twice!
• 🛍️ Downtown Taos: Taos Plaza and its surrounding streets are full of charm—independent art galleries, handmade jewelry, vintage finds, and more. It’s easy to spend a whole afternoon wandering from shop to shop. I especially enjoyed the gem shop. I loved the mix of old adobe buildings and creative storefronts.
Oct 22–25: Campgrounds & Walmart
• Oct 22: I stayed at a Taos campground with electric/water hookups for $48. USD Showers and amenities were a nice reset after several days off-grid (and off-road).
• Oct 23–24: After a tour of the Earthship Homes and Taos Pueblo I parked at the Rio Grande Lookout rest stop again. This is just north of Taos so nearby to both sites. It was surprisingly peaceful, with strong cell signal to catch up on some work in the evenings.
• Oct 25: Overnighted at the Taos Walmart. It wasn’t the quietest (lots of traffic noise), but convenient and well-lit with good service. It was nearby to the balloon festival and I wanted to get some good parking for the event.
Oct 26–31: Southbound and Scenic Vanlife in New Mexico
I explored the Puye Cliff Dwellings which are ancient cliff and mesa-top dwellings. They were built and inhabited by the Ancestral Pueblo people, specifically the ancestors of the modern Santa Clara Pueble.
They were contructed between 10th and 13th centuries. These structures are carved into the soft volcanic tuff cliffs of the Pajorito Plateau.
We were driven to the top of the mesa and then climbed down! The tour guide was very informative and telling stories from her ancestry. They were resilent and hardworking to make such a inventive homebase.
I wasn’t sure I would make the climb down but I did! First we climbed down some steep stairs, really just foot holds built into the side of the cliff. I went down mostly on my bum.
We then walked along a cliff path to see the ancient rooms dug into the side of the cliff and to enjoy the stunning views of the valley below. Next was climbing down a 40 foot wooden ladder to the walkway back to the gift shop. It was scary and invgorating. I am so happy I did it.
• Oct 26: Found a quiet BLM spot between Taos and Española—nothing fancy, just wide-open sky and fresh air.
• Oct 27: Stayed at Juniper Campground in Bandelier National Monument. Cell reception was spotty inside but okay near the edges. The ancient Puebloan ruins and cliff dwellings made this a standout stop.
• Oct 28–29: Santa Fe National Forest gave me a dose of alpine beauty. Fall colors were peaking, and cell signal was good throughout my stay.
• Oct 30–31: Ended the month at Gallinas Group Campground near Corona in the northeastern part of the state. Remote, peaceful, and a great place to wrap up the New Mexico chapter of my journey.
Vanlife in New Mexico Final Thoughts
New Mexico offered me everything I crave on the road—quiet BLM land, vibrant culture, and just enough small-town charm to mix things up. Taos stood out as a place I’ll definitely return to, and even getting stuck in the mud reminded me why I love this life: every challenge becomes part of the story.
If you’re vanlifing through the Southwest, give yourself time here. Don’t just pass through—pause, explore, and let New Mexico surprise you.
Until next time, happy trails from the road.
— Sharing My Van Life